* Umm…

Rauner told the Daily Herald editorial board he’s working toward a different pension plan that seeks to break what he calls a “corrupt bargain” between union leaders and politicians who can get campaign money from them.

“I don’t trust the Supreme Court to be rational in their decisions,” Rauner said. “I think they’re activist judges who want to be legislators.”

Asked if the state Supreme Court is part of the same “corrupt” system, Rauner replied: “Yes, correct. Yes. Yes. We have a system where we elect our judges, and the trial lawyers who argue cases in front of those judges give campaign cash to those judges. It’s a corrupt system.” […]

“You tell me if you look at who gives them the money and you decide whether there’s a conflict of interest going on in the courts,” Rauner said. “You tell me. Do you think there’s not?”

I happen to think that we have a pretty good Supreme Court here. I’m not a big fan of much of the appellate bench, but the Supremes get a lot more right than they get wrong. Are there some questionable circumstances at the edges? Maybe, but how many Supreme Court justices have been sent to prison in Illinois’ history? Any? [Adding: OK, back in 1969] Now compare that to the other two branches.

And the “fix” Rauner wants is to allow himself to pick all Supreme Court and appellate judges. But they won’t be influenced by his kabillions?

* Rauner’s pattern is if he doesn’t like something then it’s corrupt. If he does like something, well, then it’s all about the 1st Amendment or some other holy writ.

I’d like to see the governor actually show us some history and some facts to back up his claims about this particular Supreme Court. But, really, this is just one more in a long line of over-blown comic book statements.

It also sets the stage for the failure of the pension law, which he can then blame on those evil unions.

…Adding… Rauner said this about Indiana and his own economic development plan, but it applies here as well…

“I am one of the baddest, you know, enemies anybody can have. And when I set a goal, we do it. I don’t care what the headline is. I want the results.”

“Well then, business will have to suffer, all right? And listen, do me a favor, Tom. No more advice on how to patch things up, just help me win, please. All right?”

…Adding More… From comments…

This isn’t political posturing, it’s destabilizing. This isn’t some person throwing accusations from the peanut gallery, this is the sitting Governor talking about his co-equal branch of government.

“No, no, no! No more! Not this time, Consigliere! No more meetin’s! No more discussions! No more Solozzo tricks! You give ‘em one message - I want Solozzo. If not, it’s all-out war, we go to the mattresses.”